GPDA Disappointed with Mosley's Attitude

Following the revelation of a phone call that GPDA director David Coulthard received off Mosley last week in the wake of the drivers backing the Michelin teams in withdrawing from the United States Grand Prix, worries began surfacing among drivers about the president's attitude.

This eventually resulted last Sunday in an open letter being sent to Mosley on behalf of the GPDA, expressing its concern that he had allegedly threatened to withdraw his support for safety initiatives in his call to Coulthard, and that the FIA blocked drivers appearing at the recent World Motor Sport Council hearing to discuss events in Indianapolis.

The letter, which has been seen by Autosport-Atlas, says: "At a GPDA meeting on July 1 it was brought to the attention of our members that you, as President of the FIA, contacted a GPDA Director on Tuesday June 28 to express your disappointment that 19 drivers had submitted a statement to the FIA World Motor Sport Council in support of a safety issue.

"We were also concerned to learn that during the course of this telephone conversation, you suggested the FIA might withdraw support for the ongoing safety initiatives of the GPDA.

"Previously the FIA had also dissuaded driver representation in Paris for the World Motor Sport Council meeting.

"The GPDA believes that safety issues are of the highest importance and are disappointed not to receive the full support of the FIA President in this matter.

"We welcome further discussion with you on this matter."

The letter was signed by the entire Formula One field, except the Red Bull Racing drivers David Coulthard, Christian Klien and Vitantonio Liuzzi, plus Michael Schumacher.

The absence of Schumacher is not a surprise, because he has made no secret of the fact that he believes Indianapolis was not a safety issue but a technical matter.

However, the reasons why the RBR drivers have not signed are not completely clear, although it may be because team owner Dietrich Mateschitz and sporting director Christian Horner are believed to enjoy a strong relationship with Mosley.

Mosley decided to cancel the meeting scheduled for this Friday in the wake of comments from Coulthard criticising new regulations introduced this year.

Reacting to Mosley's decision about the meeting, Coulthard claimed that the current driver safety concerns had nothing to do with the debate about the rules. He still hoped a meeting could take place in the near future.

"They (the rules argument and the safety debate) are two separate things," he said. "I have been commenting about the regulations ever since they came out - and that is surely my opinion. Then again, everyone has the right to feel whatever emotions they do.

"I understand Max is a busy man but I hope we can re-arrange the meeting. Friday would have been convenient for all the drivers, but Max has made his position clear."